L'Armendèche Lighthouse

{{Short description|Lighthouse in Vendée, France}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

{{Infobox lighthouse

| image_name = Phare Armandeche.jpg

| caption = The lighthouse in 2011

| coordinates = {{Coord|46|29|23|N|01|48|17|W|type:landmark_region:FR|display=title,inline}}

| yearbuilt = 1968

| automated = 1968

| construction = concrete tower

| shape = hexagonal tower with balcony and lantern

| marking = white tower, red lantern

| height = {{convert|38.96|m|ft}}

| focalheight = {{convert|42|m|ft}}

| intensity = 440,000 candela

| range = {{convert|22.5|nmi}}[http://www.dirm.nord-atlantique-manche-ouest.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/phare-de-l-armandeche-a124.html L'Armendèche lighthouse] Ministère de l'Écologie, du Développement durable et de l'Énergie {{in lang|fr}}

| characteristic = Fl (2+1) W 15s.

}}

L'Armendèche Lighthouse is a French lighthouse located along the coast of the Vendée department; it is located in La Chaume, a district of Les Sables-d'Olonne.{{cite rowlett|bsc1|accessdate=25 January 2016}} It was the last major lighthouse to be constructed on French territory, and takes its name from that of a place just down the coast.{{cite book |last=Pérocheau |first=J. |title=Histoire de la Marine en Vendée: 2000 ans d'événements maritimes |publisher=D'Orbestier Editions |year=1998 |isbn=978-2-84238-015-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x43fAAAAMAAJ |language=fr |access-date=18 May 2019 |page=137}}

The lighthouse was constructed in 1968 to a design by local architect Maurice Durand; unlike his other lighthouses, it was not meant to replace a tower which had been destroyed during World War II, but was instead built new as a landfall light. It was constructed in response to criticisms from local sailors, who said that due to development along the shoreline they could no longer see the harbor lights at the entrance to the town harbor.{{cite rowlett|bsc}}

The lighthouse is a hexagonal concrete tower, with lantern and gallery, designed in the Art Deco style. It is {{convert|38.96|m|ft}} tall, and is white; the lantern is painted red. The light shows three white flashes in a two-one pattern every fifteen seconds. It was automated at the time of its construction, and is controlled from Les Sables-d'Olonne; it is government property, and may not be visited. It is a listed monument since 2012.{{Base Mérimée|PA85000049|Phare de l'Armandèche, situé à la Chaume}}